Chula Vista  Police were investigating a series of suspicious vehicle fires in Chula Vista, including three that burned Thursday morning, while wildfires continued to threaten homes and businesses in other parts of the county.

Authorities received a 911 call about 3 a.m., reporting that a car was on fire in a parking lot on Sanibelle Circle near Belle Vista Drive, police said.

The Chula Vista Fire Department responded and put out the flames, then notified police officers that the cause of the blaze appeared to be arson. The fire completely destroyed a Mercedes C250 and caused damage to an adjacent 2011 Ford Edge SUV.

While investigating that fire, the officers heard the loud popping sound of another vehicle burning a few hundred feet away on Belle Vista Drive. That fire destroyed a 2009 Honda Civic and damaged a nearby 2011 Toyota Corolla.

Arson investigators determined that both fires appeared to have been started in a similar manner, police said.

They were already investigating several other vehicle fires in the same area, including a 1992 Mazda MX3 that burned just three days earlier on Terra Nova Drive near Belle Vista.

Police said six vehicles burned on March 23, including four Mercedes, BMW and a Ford Focus. All had damage to side mirrors and doors, likely caused by a butane torch or other similar device.

Anyone with information related to the fires is asked to contact the Chula Vista Police Department at (619) 691-5151 and ask for property crimes. Those who wish to remain anonymous can call (619) 422-TIPS.